Workskil helps more than 100 SA job seekers with a disability find work this financial year

Easter is one of Christopher Cottam’s busiest times of year as he helps to produce more than four million Easter eggs in the factory of one of the state’s premier chocolatiers. But his path to employment hasn’t been easy.

Haigh’s confectionery worker Christopher Cottam, right, with Workskil Australia chief executive Nicole Dwyer and Haigh’s production team leader Daniel Watts. Pic: AAP Image/Brenton Edwards

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EASTER is one of Christopher Cottam’s busiest times of year as he helps to produce more than four million Easter eggs in the factory of one of the state’s premier chocolatiers.

But the path to employment hasn’t been easy for Mr Cottam, who has a musculoskeletal disorder and has struggled to find work over the years.

With the help of Workskil Australia, Mr Cottam joined Haigh’s as a confectionery worker in October.

He is one of more than 100 South Australian jobseekers with a disability who Workskil has helped into employment this financial year.

Mr Cottam said securing employment with Haigh’s – one of the state’s most loved brands – was a life-changing event.

“It’s a fantastic job,” he said.

“I used to work in automotive manufacturing and this is my first job in the confectionery industry.

“I love working with my hands and to be surrounded by chocolate is a bonus.

“Workskil Australia was really supportive in helping me to secure this job and the team at Haigh’s has been so welcoming.

“It’s a busy time heading into Easter as we make thousands of Easter eggs and chocolate bilbies, but I love it.”

Adelaide-based Workskil is the country’s largest not-for-profit employment services provider, assisting people with a mental health condition, injury or disability.

It is currently helping 220 jobseekers with a disability find work across the state.

Workskil chief executive Nicole Dwyer said the highest proportion of successful employment placements had come within the retail, healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

“We’re also helping more jobseekers like Chris transition from the automotive industry into growth areas like food manufacturing,” she said.

“We are keen to engage with more employers right across industry to match them with jobseekers who can provide real value.’’

Ms Dwyer said progressive local employers like Haigh’s understood the wide-ranging benefits of a diverse workplace, and urged other employers to help “change the life” of people with a disability.

“People with disability are a valuable asset for any organisation,” she said.

“They are some of the most dedicated, skilled and hardworking employees in the workforce.

“As well as giving the jobseeker a go, diversity brings new skills and experience to an organisation and fosters a stronger, empathetic and values-based team culture.”

Workskil provides a free service to help employers identify and recruit people with a disability.